James Goodman

James Goodman is a Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University–Newark, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He holds joint appointments in American Studies, Africana Studies, English, History, and the MFA in Creative Writing program. His academic home is deeply interdisciplinary, reflecting his unique fusion of historical scholarship and literary artistry.

• Ph.D., Princeton University, 1990
• M.A., New York University, 1983
• Workshops in Poetry and Non-Fiction, Columbia University School of the Arts, 1980–1981

Goodman's research centers on modern U.S. history, race relations, and the narrative forms of historical writing. He is a leading advocate for history as literature, emphasizing the creative dimensions of non-fiction. His work explores how literary techniques—voice, structure, perspective, and pacing—shape historical understanding. He teaches courses on narrative history, creative non-fiction, and the interplay between fact and fiction in American history.

His publications reveal a sustained interest in storytelling, memory, and moral complexity. From the Scottsboro case to the 1977 NYC blackout and the story of Abraham and Isaac, his work blends rigorous research with innovative narrative forms. His articles in journals like Rethinking History and Chronicle of Higher Education challenge conventional boundaries between history and fiction.

Notable awards and honors include:

• John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship (1997–1998)
• Shelby Cullom Davis Center Fellowship, Princeton (2000–2001)
• Rutgers Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Research (2005)
• Hosford Scholar, Faculty of Arts and Sciences (2011–2012)
• Election to the Society of American Historians (2009)

Goodman serves as U.S. editor of Rethinking History: The Journal of Theory and Practice, where he curates interdisciplinary contributions that push the boundaries of historical expression. He has advised numerous graduate students and taught workshops that inspire scholars and writers to embrace creativity in non-fiction. While specific grant details are not listed, his fellowships from Guggenheim and Princeton reflect significant external support for his research.

He is actively engaged in a vibrant intellectual community, contributing to public discourse on the nature of history and its role in contemporary society.